When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

A former employee of an animal rescue centre which has been at the centre of an animal cruelty case has spoken out about what it was like to work there.

Jodie Fairbrother was handed an 18-week suspended prison sentence after a huge RSPCA raid at 4 Paws at her centre in South Killingholme which revealed hundreds of animals living in horrific conditions.

RSPCA undertook one of the biggest operations they had ever undertaken on March 22 last year and in total removed 160 animals from the site, 144 dogs and 16 cats.

The owner operated an unlicensed boarding kennel as well as a veterinary clinic, but the main business was importing street dogs from Romania to re home in the UK.

A former employee, who wishes to remain anonymous, worked at Second Chance, in Derby, before spending a time at 4 Paws.

The ex-volunteer worked for Jodie for about 14 months before cutting ties with the Fairbrother family following an argument about a dog’s health and wellbeing.

This is only one of the experiences noted by the ex-volunteer, who has told Grimsby Live what happened during her time with Jodie.

How did you meet Jodie Fairbrother?

“My sister-in-law wanted a small dog and we came across Second Chance, in Derby which was run by Jodie. We started talking about dogs and then the next thing was Jodie asked whether I wanted to be a volunteer.

“I’m an animal lover and it did sound like my kind of thing – something I’d enjoy. My sister adopted a dog and I became a volunteer.

Jodie and Paul Fairbrother (Image: Jon Corken/GrimsbyLive)

“I was a volunteer for three months before Jodie said I was too good to just volunteer and said I could do paid work. This sounded like a good thing, at the time.

“Originally, I volunteered 9am to 3pm – times which suited me – two or three days a week. But when I started to get paid, this went up to 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday. I was only paid £50 a day.

Read More

Related Articles

“I do suffer with mental health, but carried on because it was something I enjoyed. I got me out the house and, as I say, I’m an animal lover. But, that’s when I started seeing things I was not comfortable with.”

What made you uncomfortable?

“Jodie once told me: ‘If the RSPCA ever come on site and nothing is right, it’s the staff’s fault, not mine’. To this, I was thinking: ‘Hold on, you’re the owner here’.

“She didn’t like you asking questions.

Animals were found in horrific cramped conditions (Image: RSPCA)

“I saw her inject a puppy. She said it was due to kennel cough, and so she was giving him antibiotic. She used an injection instead of the mouth method.

“Later, another poorly dog was taken into isolation. There was another person in there and I asked: ‘Is he going to be taken to the vets?’ and they said that Jodie could deal with it because she is a vet.

“I didn’t know that Jodie was a vet and so I didn't question this. Now it turns out she wasn't a vet at all. I’ve contacted the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and they have confirmed that Jodie is not a vet.”

What was the worst thing you saw?

“Six months down the line and Jodie’s attitude had completely changed – you couldn’t ask her too many questions.

Read More

Related Articles

“I paid up and my dog is still here today, but so many other dogs sadly passed away.”

The RSPCA said that a body of a deceased dog was found in the onsite clinic.

It was later discovered the dog had distemper, a lethal viral disease.

Three further dogs had to be put to sleep, two of which had Brucella canis, a serious contagious disease that can be passed onto humans, and one which tested positive for distemper.

A number of dogs had serious diseases (Image: RSPCA)

Jodie Fairbrother, 40, admitted 10 offences of animal cruelty at 4Paws - six of which related to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, including an apricot terrier bitch, a grey and white cat, a fawn and black pug, a Romanian Shepherd dog called Bear and a tan and white terrier dog.

Paul Fairbrother, 50, admitted offences of animal cruelty, including one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to a British bulldog and two charges relating to being responsible for the welfare of an animal.